Tokyo, Japan, February 26, 2014 – SATO, a leader in barcode printing, labeling, and RFID solutions and Altrax Group, a leader in traceability solutions for the healthcare environment, Bristol, UK, co-announced today that Stryker Europe has adopted its PJM RFID solutions in 6 countries in Europe.

Prior to Europe, Stryker, a world leader in orthopaedic implant manufacture, has adopted PJM RFID solutions in Australasia. Now, Stryker Europe is rolling out the same PJM RFID solutions to its main distribution centres in UK, France, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Italy.

SATO has been providing a wide range of RFID solutions to the global market for over a decade and acquired the healthcare business of Magellan Technology Pty Ltd in Dec 2013, establishing SATO VICINITY PTY LTD in Sydney, Australia as a new entity to continue with R&D and manufacturing of its unique PJM RFID technology.

"6 out of the world's top 7 orthopaedic implant manufacturers including Stryker are already users of PJM RFID Technology in Australia. The decision by Stryker Europe to adopt our PJM RFID Technology in Europe is a good indication of their trust in the reliability of PJM Technology and the capability of SATO's local service in Europe," said Kaz Matsuyama, President & CEO of SATO Holdings, "Stryker Europe will be enjoying better localized support from our valued partner Altrax Group and SATO group member companies in all 6 countries."

Altrax Group, well-known for its specialities in traceability solutions for the hospital sterilization field, had been the solution partner of Magellan Technology in the UK
prior to the acquisition by SATO, and is also the solution partner of SATO, providing its traceability systems incorporating SATO's world-leading barcode printers. "We are extremely happy about the marriage of SATO and PJM RFID Technology – it all came together in a way customers such as Stryker, receive all the benefits," said Andrew Southcott, Director of Altrax Group, "There is really no other way of doing this and there is no doubt that what was achieved in Australia with PJM RFID for the orthopaedic implant field, will simply repeat itself in the UK and other countries across Europe."

About Altrax Group

The Altrax Group is world leader in the supply of traceability, accountability and management systems for Sterile Services. Its wide portfolio of specialist solutions is specifically designed to help healthcare providers meet and exceed regulatory requirements whilst incorporating
the most up to date technology available. The Altrax Group is also at the forefront of single instrument marking for healthcare systems. Instrumark®'s unique laser marking technology - designed by some of the world's leading laser engineers - uses technology developed by NASA to provide the most accurate instrument marking system in the world.

About SATO

SATO is a pioneer and leading global provider of integrated Automatic Identification and Data Collection solutions that leverage barcode and RFID technologies. SATO manufactures innovative, reliable auto-identification systems and offers complete solutions to businesses by integrating hardware, software, consumables and maintenance services. SATO's solutions enable businesses to realize precision, labor and resource savings that help preserve the environment and deliver peace of mind to consumers. All of which contribute to the development of a sustainable world.

Founded in 1940, SATO is publicly listed on the first section of Tokyo Stock Exchange in Japan. It has sales and support offices in over 20 countries and is represented globally through a world-class network of partners. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013, it reported revenues of JPY 87,256 million (US$ 1.0524 billion). More information about SATO can be found at www.satoworldwide.com

*Conversion is based on an average exchange rate of 1 US Dollar = 82.91 Japanese Yen.

SATO VICINITY understands that each company is unique. We recognize that each company has developed its own best-in-class operations differently, having different needs and priorities. This is why we don't tell you this is the world standard practice and you should change your way to fit to the system. Instead, we endeavor to understand your business requirements, address your concerns and go the extra mile to tailor our solutions. We work for you, you don't have to work for us.

An RFID technology that you don't have to workaround

SATO VICINITY understands you finally found us after many years of solving problems for RFID, typically in the Healthcare sector. We know you are looking for a robust RFID technology that you can dump your problems into instead. We know you don't want to hear 100 rules you need to follow to make the RFID work. We know you don't want to hear 100 other possibilities why RFID is not working. We are the company offering the single point of responsibility for core RFID technologies with chips, tags, readers and printers - all designed and built by us, much needed in the industry. All you have to worry about is your own business, not the RFID technology you have.